Surgery for thyroid nodules

Abstract

Thyroidectomy remains the mainstay of treatment for indeterminate thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer, and thyroid nodules associated with symptoms of compression; it is an appealing option for some patients with functional thyroid nodules associated with hyperthyroidism. For thyroid cancer, the extent of thyroid resection and lymph node management needs to be individualized, taking into consideration risk stratification schema, treatment guidelines, and patient values. Treatment guidelines have been created by the American Thyroid Association to inform clinical decision-making for the surgical management of patients with thyroid nodules in different clinical settings and are referenced throughout the following chapter.